Maynard and Jennica Hardcover Book by Rudolph Delson

Miramax Films and producer Scott Rudin have acquired the Rudolph Delson novel "Maynard and Jennica." Playwright-turned-scribe Liz Meriwether will write the screenplay. Published last year by Houghton Mifflin, the novel tracks the courtship of a young couple in New York. Their relationship evolves through the life-changing events of Sept. 11, 2001. The novel has been described as an Annie Hall-like tale of unlikely lovers in Gotham.

Ben Affleck will rewrite, direct and star in “The Town,” a Warner Bros. adaptation of the Chuck Hogan novel “The Prince of Thieves.” Graham King is producing through his GK Films banner. Affleck would play a career thief who becom...Ben Affleck will rewrite, direct and star in “The Town,” a Warner Bros. adaptation of the Chuck Hogan novel “The Prince of Thieves.” Graham King is producing through his GK Films banner. Affleck would play a career thief who becomes smitten by the manager of a bank. The project - which most recently had director Adrian Lyne attached - would be based in Charlestown, Mass., a gritty blue-collar Boston suburb similar to the one that Affleck captured in his directorial debut, “Gone Baby Gone.” Affleck is doing a rewrite on the most recent draft by Peter Craig and Hogan.

The creative team behind the upcoming romantic comedy “He’s Just Not That Into You” is teaming up again for another laugh-infused romancer. New Line has picked up the rights to Liz Tuccillo’s best-selling novel “How to Be Single” ...The creative team behind the upcoming romantic comedy “He’s Just Not That Into You” is teaming up again for another laugh-infused romancer. New Line has picked up the rights to Liz Tuccillo’s best-selling novel “How to Be Single” for Flower Films’ Nancy Juvonen and Drew Barrymore to produce, setting Marc Silverstein and Abby Kohn to adapt. Juvonen and Barrymore are producing “Into You,” which Silverstein and Kohn adapted from a tome written by Tuccillo and Greg Behrendt. Tuccillo is a former writer for “Sex and the City.” While “Into You” was a non-fiction how-to look at relationships, “Single” is Tuccillo’s fiction debut.

Producers David Permut and Steve Binder will develop a feature titled “The Colonel” based on the book about the man with shadowy origins who reinvented himself as the Svengali behind the world’s most famous entertainer. Parker sta...Producers David Permut and Steve Binder will develop a feature titled “The Colonel” based on the book about the man with shadowy origins who reinvented himself as the Svengali behind the world’s most famous entertainer. Parker started his showbiz career as a hustler on the carnival circuit before promoting Minnie Pearl and Eddy Arnold. Parker built Presley into a global music and film star — and took 50% of the spoils.

Next from the author of Nicholas Sparks...
Lasse Hallstrom is set to direct Channing Tatum in “Dear John,” a Nicholas Sparks book adaptation that starts production in September. Screen Gems and Relativity Media have come aboard...Next from the author of Nicholas Sparks...
Lasse Hallstrom is set to direct Channing Tatum in “Dear John,” a Nicholas Sparks book adaptation that starts production in September. Screen Gems and Relativity Media have come aboard the film, which had been developed by Temple Hill partners Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey for New Line as part of their first-look producing deal. It is one of the first high-profile titles to be put into turnaround since New Line was downsized. Bowen and Godfrey are producing. Relativity’s Ryan Kavanaugh and Tucker Tooley will exec produce. Tatum stars as a soldier who, while home on leave, falls for a conservative college student. Relativity will fully finance the film, while Screen Gems will distribute domestically and in a few other territories.

Olympus Pictures and Rob Morrow’s Bits & Pieces Picture Co. are producing a feature version of Robert Charles Wilson’s sci-fi thriller “Spin.” Olympus exec Leslie Urdang, who brought the property in, will produce. The novel, which...Olympus Pictures and Rob Morrow’s Bits & Pieces Picture Co. are producing a feature version of Robert Charles Wilson’s sci-fi thriller “Spin.” Olympus exec Leslie Urdang, who brought the property in, will produce. The novel, which won the Hugo Award, centers on a young scientist trying to save humanity from the impending apocalypse of a “spin” that has enveloped the Earth amid realization that salvation may be found with the discovery of life on Mars. “Spin” is the first of a planned trilogy, published by Tor Books. “Axis” was released last year and will be followed by “Vortex.” Wilson’s other works include Hugo Award nominees “Blind Lake,” “The Chronoliths” and “Darwinia” (1998).

MGM has acquired rights to the Jason Carter Eaton children’s book “The Facttracker” and will turn it into a live-action feature to be directed by David Silverman. Silverman helmed the animated hits “The Simpsons Movie” and “Monste...MGM has acquired rights to the Jason Carter Eaton children’s book “The Facttracker” and will turn it into a live-action feature to be directed by David Silverman. Silverman helmed the animated hits “The Simpsons Movie” and “Monsters, Inc.” The author and his writing partner, Ian Lendler, will pen the script. Shawn Levy will produce with Marc Platt in a co-production between their 21 Laps and Marc Platt Prods. banners. Tom McNulty and Adam Siegel also will produce. Book is a fable about Traakerfaxx, a town that produces all the facts in the world. The arrival of a salesman who peddles lies throws the town into chaos, and a young orphan and the reclusive Facttracker team up to save the town from becoming a haven for fibs. Endeavor repped Silverman and Levy, and Mary Evans Inc. brokered the book deal.

George Clooney will topline, and his Smoke House partner Grant Heslov will helm, “Men Who Stare at Goats.” Pic is an adaptation of British journalist Jon Ronson’s book about the U.S. Army’s First Earth Battalion, a unit that was t...George Clooney will topline, and his Smoke House partner Grant Heslov will helm, “Men Who Stare at Goats.” Pic is an adaptation of British journalist Jon Ronson’s book about the U.S. Army’s First Earth Battalion, a unit that was to use paranormal powers. Title refers to the notion that one can kill a goat by staring at it. Script was penned by Brit Peter Straughan (”How to Lose Friends and Alienate People”). The project has been around for some time, but international buyers only just received the script this week as the Cannes fest and market got started. Script topped the 2007 Brit List of best unproduced screenplays. Financing and producing mix, which is still in flux, is expected to include Winchester, BBC Films and Mandate Pictures.

Jason Reitman will write and is attached to direct Walter Kirn’s novel “Up in the Air” for Montecito. The long-gestating project teams the “Juno” helmer with his father, Ivan Reitman, who heads up Montecito along with Tom Pollock....Jason Reitman will write and is attached to direct Walter Kirn’s novel “Up in the Air” for Montecito. The long-gestating project teams the “Juno” helmer with his father, Ivan Reitman, who heads up Montecito along with Tom Pollock. Story centers on a ruthless human resources exec whose only joy in life comes from the prospect of notching his millionth frequent flyer mile, a goal he pursues with zeal as the rest of his life falls apart because he is constantly on the road.

Senator Entertainment has acquired film rights to Brad Kessler’s novel “Birds in Fall” and will produce the drama with Julia Roberts’ Red Om Films. Dennis Lee, who made his directorial debut on “Fireflies in the Garden,” has signe...Senator Entertainment has acquired film rights to Brad Kessler’s novel “Birds in Fall” and will produce the drama with Julia Roberts’ Red Om Films. Dennis Lee, who made his directorial debut on “Fireflies in the Garden,” has signed to adapt and direct. Story centers on the inn near a fatal plane crash site that becomes the surrogate home for the mourning families and a female character who finds comfort and hope in the company of the other surviving family members.

“Ice Age” helmer Chris Wedge has signed on to direct Brian Selznick’s magic-themed children’s novel “The Invention of Hugo Cabret” for Graham King’s GK Films, Johnny Depp’s Infinitum Nihil and Warner Bros. “The Aviator” scribe Joh...“Ice Age” helmer Chris Wedge has signed on to direct Brian Selznick’s magic-themed children’s novel “The Invention of Hugo Cabret” for Graham King’s GK Films, Johnny Depp’s Infinitum Nihil and Warner Bros. “The Aviator” scribe John Logan has been tapped to pen the adaptation. King and Infinitum Nihil’s Christi Dembrowski will produce the live-action film, which centers on an orphaned boy who secretly lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station and looks after the clocks. He gets caught up in a mystery adventure when he attempts to repair a mechanical man. The studio is eyeing a fall start date. GK Films and Warner Bros. acquired screen rights to “The Invention of Hugo Cabret,” a No. 1 New York Times bestseller, in 2007.

I've seen this book on display everywhere book are sold over the past couple months, so this comes as no surprise... is Starbucks the new Oprah's Book Club?
Paramount Pictures and Plan B have acquired pic rights to the David Sh...I've seen this book on display everywhere book are sold over the past couple months, so this comes as no surprise... is Starbucks the new Oprah's Book Club?
Paramount Pictures and Plan B have acquired pic rights to the David Sheff memoir “Beautiful Boy: A Father’s Journey Through His Son’s Addiction” and the Nic Sheff memoir “Tweak: Growing Up on Methamphetamines.” Studio and producer will use the recently published books to frame a movie about drug addiction from the perspective of a young meth addict and the father who finds himself helpless to stop his son’s downward spiral. Both Sheff books were published in February and became bestsellers. Houghton Mifflin’s “Beautiful Boy” is being sold in Starbucks locations around the country as part of the Starbucks Select book series. The movie will be produced in association with Starbucks.

Brett Ratner is in negotiations to direct Universal Pictures and Imagine Entertainment's remake of "The Incredible Shrinking Man." Brian Grazer is producing the project, which has Eddie Murphy attached to star.
An updated version...Brett Ratner is in negotiations to direct Universal Pictures and Imagine Entertainment's remake of "The Incredible Shrinking Man." Brian Grazer is producing the project, which has Eddie Murphy attached to star.
An updated version of the best-selling novel and 1957 sci-fi classic starring Grant Williams, "Man" is taking the comedic approach to the fantastical material, telling the story of a famous Las Vegas magician who is put under a spell that causes him to shrink. He must find a way to reverse the spell before he gets so small that he "disappears."

In its first major material deal made since Mary Parent took over as head of MGM’s worldwide motion picture group, the studio ponied up for “The Matarese Circle,” a 1979 book by Robert Ludlum. Ryan Kavanaugh’s Relativity Media wil...In its first major material deal made since Mary Parent took over as head of MGM’s worldwide motion picture group, the studio ponied up for “The Matarese Circle,” a 1979 book by Robert Ludlum. Ryan Kavanaugh’s Relativity Media will co-finance the film, and Denzel Washington is attached to star. The book sold for $3 million, with another seven-figures to be paid to screenwriters Michael Brandt and Derek Haas (“3:10 to Yuma,” the upcoming “Wanted”)
The story appears to be a thriller where a pair of rival CIA and KGB spies must team up to take down international terrorists. This could be great.